Raps Play off bound - Book it.

This is not a fanboy post.

I am a tough critic of Raps and Many of Colangelo's moves.

Raps are 2 games out of 8th 3 games out of 7th why are they playoff bound?

1) They are defending (finally the raps are hard to score on)
2) After that rough January they are getting stronger not ready to mail in the season
3) 14 road games 7 home games played (nuff said)
4) Dwane Casey has them buying in. He is a wonderful coach and they are listening to him - team is playing hard and unselfish.

Neeto stat: James Johnson is 9th in the league in blocked shots (who knows how many altered or deflected shots) I know many disagree with me but I think he is almost becoming a Pippen-esque type of defender. He is everywhere.

I have to agree. 2 games out of 8th and the home schedule coming up + the new work hard attitude should net the Raps at least an 8th seed. I didn't think it would happen, but if the Raps start clicking and begin to finally "get it" we may be watching some post season play...and who knows when playoffs start (though Chicago would tear us a new one!)

You make some interesting points. Many people (myself included) assumed that January would be the month the team completely folds due to the hectic schedule. But to finish the month 2 games behind the 8th seed is definitely unexpected, and probably speaks more about the relative weakness of the Eastern Conference.

Either way, I would rather see an infusion of talent via a high draft pick, than a 1st round drubbing at the hands of the Bulls/Heat. But whatever happens, I'll be cheering loudly.

Last year they were 8-11 and sniffing at the playoffs. They finished the season 14-49. A lot has changed since then but I still don't believe at this time due to the inconsistency and, overall, lack of talent on the team without Bargnani. Teams will adjust and be ready should the Raptors put out this starting lineup again.

With teams like Boston, New York, and Milwaukee underachieving, and how early it is in the season, it looks like the Raptors are a lot closer then they actually are (people praying for the lottery do not worry). Interesting post though. I have avoided looking at the standings cause it depresses the hell out of me when I see the Cavs ahead of Toronto. I am sort of surprised at this teams resilience towards a tough schedule, and as of late the play has been great.

Jose hasn't even missed a game yet.. isn't he scheduled for his 10 game break soon? I estimated 16 wins.. they should surpass that quite easily, but they are still lottery bound.

I could see Toronto still getting a good pick despite all their wins. Even if they pick in the 7-10 range, you could net someone really good. It is a lottery based system as well so there is a chance that they can land a good pick - last year, LAC won the lottery (ranked 8th worst), and Utah picked 3rd (ranked 12th worst).

I think there is still a pretty big gap between 8th and where Toronto is. The top 5 teams are guaranteed to be in the playoffs: Miami, Chicago, Philly, Indiana, Atlanta. Orlando will probably accumulate enough wins that even if Howard leaves they will make it. Boston will get in due to their talent and veteran leadership. And that leaves only one slot left. I think it will be hard for Toronto to surpass teams like Cleveland, NY, Milwaukee or even NJ.

The mere fact that the Raptors are 2 games out of the playoffs right now speaks to the travesty of the Eastern Conference and nothing more.

Look at it this way: the Raptors have the 6th WORST record in the NBA, yet they are only 2 games out of the 8th seed? That's just crazy man. What it means is that the playoffs as the 8th seed is just NOT an accomplishment. It's not. I would love to see the Raps in the playoffs. But not if they get there with a .400 record. That's not going to help anyone. The Raps would get swept by the Bulls or the Heat AND lose out on the chance to draft one of Harrison Barnes, Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Thomas Robinson or Bradley Beal.

And one of those 5 players - ideally Barnes (just my opinion)- NEEDS to be in a Toronto uniform next season if the Raps are going to take their next steps.

Unless the Raps go crazy and make it to like the 6th seed or something, in which case, by all means, let's playoffs it up and look towards a bright future. But that would be dependent upon DeRozan stepping up and becoming an all-star quality 2 guard and J.J. averaging around 15 ppg. Which isn't impossible, but, you know, 7-14 with losses to Washington, Sacramento, and New Jersey? 6th pick is far more likely than 6th seed, and far, far more valuable than 8th seed.

It's a good thing you prefaced this with that line because that's what I thought for sure when I saw the title. To be honest, I haven't even looked at the standings this year as I was pretty sure they were irrelevant. It's nice that it gives them something to play for but I think the reality is that it's only a month in and it will take a bit more time for the bad teams (including us) to still be in 12th place but be ten games out. That said, there is a trend here. As meaningless as streaks are, there is something to be seen each time the raps snap some franchise mark for futility (suns, jazz, d. will)...now if we could just get to the nuggets again!

If Andrea doesn't miss too much time and Demar can get going consistently, I think we could be a playoff team. We are young which gives us an advantage with the schedule as bad as it is. All we have to do is beat the bad teams and we will be in. There is hope yet my friends.

"When Life gives you lemons, you clone those Lemons to make super lemons!"
-Scudworth

With teams like Boston, New York, and Milwaukee underachieving, and how early it is in the season, it looks like the Raptors are a lot closer then they actually are

I agree boston (if they get/stay healthy) should be in the mix
I have seen a number of Nick games and I am not a believer. Tyson has his contract Melo doesn't defend - Amara fighting to stay healthy.
As far as the bucks are concerned - bogut is out not sure if they can find their way.

Who knows... finishing 7th or 8th might not be the best thing.
No way in hell will they draft a PF They are unlikely to be low enough to grab Barnes or Gilchrest

so... look out for a PG in draft Kendall Marshall, Lillard - if they had the early 2nd round pick there is an outside chance that one of my personal favs would have been on the board Toronto's Myke Kabongo. Brings a tear to my eye to think they could potentially go in to fall with JV Girlchrest and Myke Kabongo as rookies ... But it is more likely to be JV and Kendall Marshall...

Bulls, Pacers, Heat, Magic, Hawks, Sixers, Celtics, Knicks. I don't see the Raps being in danger of breaking into that group. Even if the Knicks fall off then you have the Bucks, Cavs and Nets and all have more motivation to try and make moves to win than Toronto.

Having said that, it would be just like the Raps to go into a year trying to get a high pick and build a core of players only to somehow stumble into the playoffs with a .400 winning percentage, lose 4-0, then end up with a backup swing man in the draft, followed by a 32-50 season.

It's surprising to think that the Rap's could make the playoffs this season or are even in reach of it. Gotta wonder where we might have been if Bagnani could manage to stay healthy. Anyone know how long he's scheduled to be out of the line up?

I wonder though if making the playoffs is indeed good for the team. Sure the fans would have something to cheer about, Casey would have to be seriously considered for COY, and ESPN would be forced to show some Rap's games, but is being sweeped by Miami or Chicago in the first round worth giving up on a potential franchise player? I'm not saying they should tank and am happy with them playing hard and letting the lottery balls fall where they fall, but still you gotta wonder..

Bulls, Pacers, Heat, Magic, Hawks, Sixers, Celtics, Knicks. I don't see the Raps being in danger of breaking into that group. Even if the Knicks fall off then you have the Bucks, Cavs and Nets and all have more motivation to try and make moves to win than Toronto.

Having said that, it would be just like the Raps to go into a year trying to get a high pick and build a core of players only to somehow stumble into the playoffs with a .400 winning percentage, lose 4-0, then end up with a backup swing man in the draft, followed by a 32-50 season.

That made me laugh.
Then cry.
Then picture myself sitting in my clothes in a hot shower, rocking slowly back and forth, repeating over and over: "with the 15th pick in in the 2012 NBA draft, the Toronto Raptors select..."

I still agree that the best option for long-term health of this franchise is to get a top-5 lottery pick this season. Then they introduce at least 2 new young stud players to the roster (lottery pick & Valanciunas, barring any trades to acquire additional draft picks) next season. Next season is the season to start hoping for playoffs, even if it is as first round fodder for the big boys. I understand the logic and rationale for wanting to make the playoffs, to build team confidence, chemistry and morale, but next season is the season to do that, not this season when 1/3 of the roster are scrubs signed as filler for a single season! 1 more offseason of "building", then think about competing for the 2012-2013 season and beyond!

That made me laugh.
Then cry.
Then picture myself sitting in my clothes in a hot shower, rocking slowly back and forth, repeating over and over: "with the 15th pick in in the 2012 NBA draft, the Toronto Raptors select..."

I still agree that the best option for long-term health of this franchise is to get a top-5 lottery pick this season. Then they introduce at least 2 new young stud players to the roster (lottery pick & Valanciunas, barring any trades to acquire additional draft picks) next season. Next season is the season to start hoping for playoffs, even if it is as first round fodder for the big boys. I understand the logic and rationale for wanting to make the playoffs, to build team confidence, chemistry and morale, but next season is the season to do that, not this season when 1/3 of the roster are scrubs signed as filler for a single season! 1 more offseason of "building", then think about competing for the 2012-2013 season and beyond!

Bryan could also try to fleece a team that is lottery bound and try and steal their pick from them. Unlikely but there are some pretty dumb GM/owners around (*cough* Dumars *cough*)

Bryan could also try to fleece a team that is lottery bound and try and steal their pick from them. Unlikely but there are some pretty dumb GM/owners around (*cough* Dumars *cough*)

True. A third option could also be to trade Barbosa for a late 1st round pick, make the playoffs, then trade their two picks (ie: #15 & #2x) for a top-10 pick... who knows, it's been done before.

I still think BC is hoping his team continues playing hard for Casey, remains competitive enough to keep morale up throughout the season, only to wind up in the middle of the lottery standings, hoping for some luck with the ping pong balls. I think BC will also look to add additional picks. I think Barbosa is 99% gone, Calderon & Bayless & either Amir/Davis are all at least 50% gone, if BC can get decent returns for them.

sigh...this brings back such fond memories of bygone days. like, from a few weeks ago, when they were 4-5 & the talk of playoffs started and me-oh-my wouldn't it be great for the youngsters on the team to get that playoff experience (read: as a fan, i'm tired of being embarrassed by my team)! btw...why do we point to 'playoff experience' as some great thing? how'd that work out for the raps a few years ago? or is andrea just having a delayed (positive) reaction to his playoff experiences from 1/2-a-decade ago?

yes, bargs' injury & subsequent suckitude curtailed that talk, but now that they've gone & won ONE game without bargs (and LB, for that matter), here we go again. but but but...3-2 on the 5-game road trip = JUBILATION! yeah yeah, i'm a cynic, but i still think that once teams get a handle on how to handle the compressed schedule, lack of rest & practice time, the 'haves' will start to distance themselves from the 'nots.' the raptors should embrace their role as 'nots,' (for this year, at least) get the kids as many reps as possible, figure out who's a keeper & who's trade bait, and proceed with Tankapalooza 2012 as planned. then go full guns blazing for that coveted 8th seed next year...if things go well between then & now, they'll:

a) have a solid idea who amongst the current roster is a building block & who isn't;
b) turn one (or more) of their tradeable assets into a future-oriented asset (be it a current or future pick, a player with potential, etc);
b) be adding a top-5 (or thereabouts) pick in this draft, as well as JV;
c) have an actual FA signing period to add a piece (if the fit is right) & an offseason with which to make trades;
d) have an actual training camp following a year of absorbing a lot of new information from a new coaching staff.

these things don't happen overnight, and it does seem like the republic has been waiting an awful long time for anything resembling a competitive team...but nothing would flatten out the rebuilding curve quicker than foolishly thinking they could make a playoff run this year, if it means sacrificing a high lotto pick in a loaded draft. next year? go for it, since there is a limit to the # of young guys one team can have on a roster before you start cutting into their development. so yeah, give them the rest of this year to set up the roster for next, bring over JV, draft a stud this year, fill in a blank or two in FA (doesn't have to be a major acquisition), give DC & his staff the summer to implement a system/mindset, have a full training camp & go go go. they'll still be pretty bad, but next year is the one in which the goal becomes playoffs.

TRUE LOVE - Sometimes you know it the instant you see it across the bar.

haven't we learned to take things said by management about players - in particular, about future FA players - with about 3 tonnes of salt? what, exactly, is BC going to say if the subject is broached? 'nah, i think leandro's a great guy, and we have a history, but when his deal with the raps expires, we're kicking him to the curb. we may be a lottery team, but the message we're trying to send out to other teams (i.e. potential trade partners) is that he's not good enough to play for the great TORONTO RAPTORS long term. instead, we'd like him to just go away. thanks for asking!'

isn't the idea in 'fleecing' another GM to build up the value of the guy you're trying to deal, so that other GM offers more in return? there's also something to be said for being known as a GM/franchise that does right by players (which is something we've seen a number of times in the past). letting it be 'known' that he'd like to re-sign barbosa is a 'nice' thing to be out there.

TRUE LOVE - Sometimes you know it the instant you see it across the bar.